Let The Ecobutton Help You Save Energy

I wonder how many people actually have their computer set up to hibernate after a certain amount of time, as compared to how many people just let their desktop run nonstop. Don’t you know how much energy you’re wasting just letting your machine cook endlessly? Thankfully, there’s now the ecobutton to help remind you.

The ecobutton is a large green button that hooks to a computer through a USB connection and sits on your desk reminding you to be eco-friendly. When you’re done working or need to step away for a little while, just press the ecobutton and it’ll put your computer into “ecomode,” which allegedly only draws as much power as when the computer is shut down. When you return, just press the ecobutton again and your computer snaps back awake and ready to be used.

Nothing I’ve read really shows what the difference between “ecomode” and hibernation is, other than perhaps the big green button on your desk reminding you to actually shut the computer down this time. To help users feel good about their purchase, the ecobutton also logs how much energy was saved by putting the computer into “ecomode” each time it’s used.

According to OhGizmo the ecobutton is currently only available through “promotional gift distributors” and currently runs between $12-$18 a pop.